 |
St Stephen was the
first martyr. The story of his arrest and stoning to death on trumped
up charges unfortunately has many echoes still today.
'Then they brought in some men to tell lies about
him. "This man," they said, "is always talking against
our sacred Temple and the Law of Moses. We heard him say that this Jesus
of Nazareth will tear down the Temple and change all the customs which
have come down to us from Moses!" All those sitting in the Council
fixed their eyes on Stephen and saw that his face looked like the face
of an angel....'
Full story in Chapters 6-7,
Acts of the Apostles |
"Look," [Stephen] said,
"I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right
hand of God."
But they covered their ears, and with a loud
shout all rushed together against him. Then they dragged him out of the
city and began to stone him, and the witnesses laid their coats at the
feet of a young man called Saul.
While they were stoning Stephen he prayed, "Lord
Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he knelt down and cried out in a
loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When
he had said this he died.
And Saul approved of their killing him." |
| Boxing
Day is so-called from the old custom of
giving - or even asking for - Christmas 'boxes' on this day, in money or
in kind. The 'box' referred to the box in which the money was placed and
gradually came to mean the gift itself. Gifts given on this day were usually
for services rendered, usually by servants, apprentices or tradespeople.
Grocers might give their employees gifts of plums for their puddings or
the baker might give them a plum cake. There were many other customs some
of which have died out, others which have just become part of the Christmas
season in general |
Receive
this medal....
 |
Enrolment in
the Guild of St Stephen
December 26th is the feast day of St Stephen the first martyr, who was
stoned to death outside the walls of Jerusalem, and a special day for the
boys and girls who are enrolled into the guild of St Stephen
after serving for a year on the altar at church.
At their special Mass at midday they make the Guild promises to assist on the altar as much as they
can when they are needed, and "with the help of God" They also
receive medals and certificates to mark this important occasion.
As many of the more experienced servers as possible attend this annual
Mass to give their support.
